In the middle of filming The Rookie Season 7, it was announced that lead actor Tru Valentino had left the long-running series. The first question from a fan perspective is of course how the character from the series will be written. The screenwriters of The Rookie have messed this up a lot in the past. But we can breathe a sigh of relief with Aaron’s departure.
This is how The Rookie explains the absence of Aaron Thorson in season 7
On January 7, 2025, the 7th season of The Rookie celebrated its US premiere on home broadcaster ABC. Since then, we’ve known how Aaron left the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Only a short moment will be devoted to the whole thingas The Wrap reports, which is reminiscent of Afton Williamson’s departure after Season 1. This time we are given a solid and sensible explanation.
During the season 7 opening episode titled The Shot There is a quiet moment in which John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and his colleague Celina Juarez (Lisseth Chavez) talk about Aaron. It makes sense that John asks and approaches Celina. John always cares about the well-being of his colleagues and Celina is friends with Aaron beyond work – so she is most likely to have the answers.
Celina says that Aaron is now in North Hollywood and continues to work for the police there. He would have changed departments because everyone here knew that he was a patient of the therapist Dr. Blair London (Danielle Campbell) had been and he could start over in North Hollywood. We remember: Dr. London was introduced in Season 6 and Aaron was a regular with her. However, she emerged as a villain over the course of the season.
Her joint plan with lawyer Monica Stevens (Bridget Regan) led to the deaths of police officers – and last but not least to John Nolan being shot in the season finale and two serious criminals being able to escape from prison. That Aaron doesn’t want to be associated with thatI accept as an explanation – especially since he has struggled with his reputation in the past.
Double relief: Aaron is alive and Tru Valentino might even return
Aaron Thorson is alive. This is the most important fact for fans, especially when we think back to Jackson West’s miserable exit in Season 4. In the official episode discussion on Reddit, you can feel the sadness of the US fans who have already seen the episode that Aaron will not be part of the 7th season: “I’m sad that Aaron is gone. I’ll miss his dynamic with Celina”writes one member. You can also read that his departure was dismissed too quickly.
Tru Valentino could return to The Rookie as Aaron Thorson. Tru Valentino didn’t rule it out and The Rookie also seems to be keeping all his cards open by tamely relocating his character to a neighboring department. The creator of the series, Alexi Hawley, also hinted at this.
The Rookie Season 7 starts in Germany on January 10, 2025 with episode 1, but only in the original English language. The German dubbed version will be released on January 24th Celebrate the premiere, as usual Sky One and WOW.